Pulis seeking ref justice

STOKE boss Tony Pulis is hoping today’s Barclays Premier League encounter with Liverpool at Anfield will not see the referee come under the spotlight again like in the previous two meetings between the sides this season.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish was unhappy with a number of decisions made by match official Mark Clattenburg during his team’s 1-0 league defeat at the Britannia Stadium in September.

Pulis’ feelings were then similar after the Potters were beaten 2-1 at the same venue by the Merseysiders in the Carling Cup the following month.

The Welshman’s criticism of referee Lee Probert on that occasion led to him being warned as to his future conduct by the Football Association and handed a £10,000 fine, which he subsequently appealed against and is still waiting to hear further news about.

There has been more controversy involving Liverpool this week after a two-footed tackle by Reds defender Glen Johnson on Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott went unpunished, and Pulis does not want such issues to be at the fore once more in the game tomorrow.

“I think with every game you go into, you hope it is won and lost by the players,” Pulis said.

“You hope that referees don’t affect it in terms of decisions that change a game of football.”

Liverpool will go into the Stoke match on a high having won at City on Wednesday night to take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.

They have also been buoyed by the news captain Steven Gerrard has signed a new contract extension.

Dalglish believes Gerrard could continue playing well into his late 30s.

“You have to wait and see how they get through injuries,” said the Scot.

“Giggs is 38, isn’t he? That’s seven years down the line – that’s a long time to predict – but if he’s fit there’s no reason why not. I’m just delighted we have got him here.”